BENJAMIN MARS,
farmer, P. O. Gresham, was born June 5, 1822, in Lawrence County, Penn.
His father, William Mars, a native of
Ireland, immigrated to America while a young man, and after living some
time in Frankstown, Penn., finally settled in Lawrence County with his
brothers and sisters, in about 1802, and there he married Miss
Nancy Alexander. They developed a fine farm, now owned by
their son John J. Mr. Mars was a
soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject, who is the third of their
four sons, came to this township in 1844 and followed his trade as
carpenter and developed his farm. Here he married, March 10,
1846, Miss Isabel McGinnett, who died
February 17, 1852, leaving two sons: William,
deceased January 4, 1882, and John Alexander, deceased
November 28, 1855. Mr. Mars afterward married, October 19, 1854,
Miss Rebecca Breed, daughter of John Breed,
a native of Connecticut, and settler of Venango County. Their children
were-John Andrew, Mary Edith (deceased
January 22, 1866), and Adelaide. Mr.
and Mrs. Mars are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church.
By industry and good management he has acquired a comfortable and
pleasant home. Mr. Mars is one of the leading and representative
farmers of Oil Creek Township. In politics he is a life-long
Republican.
Source: History of Crawford County, 1885, page 917
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